apoplectic
adjective
ap·o·plec·tic
ˌa-pə-ˈplek-tik 
1
2
a
: of a kind to cause or apparently cause stroke
an apoplectic rage
b
: extremely enraged
was apoplectic over the news
Examples of apoplectic in a Sentence
Giuliani was apoplectic when the gangster fought off murder and racketeering charges and sauntered out of court in March 1987 after a sensational acquittal to bask in the TV lights.
—
Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, June 2000
The quarrel was splendidly acrimonious. When Charles Perrault, now remembered for his fairy tales, rose in the French Academy in 1687 to champion modern authors, Nicolas Boileau, the arbiter of taste, waxed so apoplectic he lost his voice.
—David Coward, New York Times Book Review, 27 Apr. 1997
Don Hewitt, the program's venerable executive producer, becomes positively apoplectic when I mention the subject during a conversation about Amanpour's job negotiations. The three networks had offered her the opportunity to contribute to their evening news shows as well as to their newsmagazines.
—Leslie Bennetts, Vanity Fair, September 1996
She was positively apoplectic with anger when she realized she had been cheated.
the coach was so apoplectic when the player missed the free throw that he threw his clipboard onto the court
Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, June 2000
The quarrel was splendidly acrimonious. When Charles Perrault, now remembered for his fairy tales, rose in the French Academy in 1687 to champion modern authors, Nicolas Boileau, the arbiter of taste, waxed so apoplectic he lost his voice.
—David Coward, New York Times Book Review, 27 Apr. 1997
Don Hewitt, the program's venerable executive producer, becomes positively apoplectic when I mention the subject during a conversation about Amanpour's job negotiations. The three networks had offered her the opportunity to contribute to their evening news shows as well as to their newsmagazines.
—Leslie Bennetts, Vanity Fair, September 1996
She was positively apoplectic with anger when she realized she had been cheated.
the coach was so apoplectic when the player missed the free throw that he threw his clipboard onto the court
Recent Examples on the Web
Singleton was apoplectic, and told Tupac the tattoo not only violated his contract but made the scene tricky to shoot.
—Jeff Pearlman, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2025
Springer was apoplectic, slamming his bat to the ground before taking out his frustration on his helmet back in the dugout.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
Stella is apoplectic, but knows Cory has her.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025
Folk icon Pete Seeger, the spiritual leader of the festival, was reportedly apoplectic.
—Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apoplectic
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Jeff Pearlman, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2025
Springer was apoplectic, slamming his bat to the ground before taking out his frustration on his helmet back in the dugout.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
Stella is apoplectic, but knows Cory has her.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025
Folk icon Pete Seeger, the spiritual leader of the festival, was reportedly apoplectic.
—Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apoplectic
Cite this Entry
“Apoplectic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apoplectic. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
apoplectic
adjective
ap·o·plec·tic
ˌap-ə-ˈplek-tik
1
: of, relating to, or causing stroke
2
: affected with or inclined to stroke
3
: seeming likely to cause stroke
an apoplectic rage
also
: very angry
was apoplectic over the news
Medical Definition
apoplectic
adjective
ap·o·plec·tic
ˌap-ə-ˈplek-tik
1
: of, relating to, or causing stroke
2
: affected with, inclined to, or showing symptoms of stroke
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